"When I look back on some of the things I have said and some of the things I did when I was using, I am ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated," Ford told reporters at an invitation-only news conference Monday, when he returned to city hall after a two-month absence.

Mayor Rob Ford told reporters Monday that he had been in 'complete denial' about the toll his drug and alcohol use was taking on his life. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

Ford had taken a leave of absence to seek help for substance abuse.

Today, the mayor said that he had been in "complete denial" about his struggle with drugs and alcohol and the toll it was taking on his life.

"I had become my own worst enemy," he said.

The mayor said he was accepting responsibility for the things he had done in the past.

"I was wrong and I have no one, but no one, to blame but myself," Ford added, before making an apology to "every single person who was hurt by my words and my actions."

Forced to confront 'personal demons'

Ford spoke about his time at the GreeneStone Residential Addiction Facility, in Bala, Ont.

"I worked with a professional team of dedicated doctors, nurses, counsellors and the best trainer anyone could ask for," Ford said. "I underwent hundreds of hours of intensive therapy. I now know, I now know that the staff at GreeneStone saved my life."

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was greeted by a media throng as he returned to his office at city hall on Monday afternoon. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

Ford said that he was forced to confront his "personal demons" and to learn about the factors that contribute to addiction.

"I learned that my addiction is really a disease, a chronic medical condition that will require treatment for the rest of my life," he said.

Near the end of his remarks, Ford talked about his resolve to win back the trust of Torontonians and to continue his work at city hall.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was silent as he left his office for the day on Monday. In the afternoon, he delivered a statement about his two-month stint in rehab. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

"I look forward to serving you for many, many more years," said Ford, also defending his record over the past four years.

The mayor did not take questions from reporters after making his remarks on Monday afternoon.

The Oct. 27 election is now less than four months away. Ford is facing dozens of opponents who have registered for the mayoral race.

Ford was elected as mayor in the fall of 2010. His successful bid to become the city's chief magistrate came after he spent a decade as a city councillor.

The 'circus' returns

Earlier in the day, colleagues on council were fielding questions about what they wanted to see from the mayor as he returns to his job at city hall.

"What I would like to hear from him politically is that he is going to keep the kind of wedge politics on the campaign trail and not bring them back into council, which has been functioning very well over the last several months," said Coun. John Filion.

"On a personal level, I just wish him the best and hope he stays on the straight and narrow."

Coun. Pam McConnell predicted that council will carry on with its work, just as it did when Ford was away.

"I'm sorry that the circus is back in town, but that's just the way it is," she said.

Coun. John Parker pointed to the fact that Ford, his work and his life at city hall have become a curiosity for people around the world.

"I think what he has to realize is that quite literally, the whole world is watching," Parker said.

Now that Ford is returning, Parker said he "must understand what is expected of him at this point."